Harding University appoints Cannon-Clary College of Education dean

Harding University Provost Larry Long has named Dr. Donny Lee the new dean of the University’s Cannon-Clary College of Education effective June 1.

Lee, associate dean of the college, replaces Dr. Tony Finley, a professor of education who has served as dean of the college since August 1998. Finley is stepping down from the position to return to full-time faculty assignments in the fall.

Lee, a Little Rock, Arkansas, native, has been at Harding since 1998 and was promoted to the rank of professor in 2008. He came to Harding after serving as superintendent at Central Arkansas Christian Schools and working in both Little Rock and North Little Rock schools. Lee earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1982), master’s degrees from University of Arkansas (1985) and the University of Central Arkansas (1989), and an Ed.D. from University of Memphis in 1993. He is highly active in professional organizations and presents numerous teacher development workshops around the state of Arkansas.

“I am confident that Donny will continue to provide the excellent skills of communication, thoughtfulness, leadership and service that he has already exhibited as the associate dean,” Long said. “I am also confident that he will support the mission of the University while advocating strongly for the College of Education.”

Donny Lee